Research

The protein, once seen as a secondary player, has taken a leading role in combating neurodegenerative illnesses

Testing for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is hardly foolproof, and could even backfire.

A woman in Colombia was destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease in her 40’s because of a rare family genetic mutation. But she didn’t show symptoms until her 70’s. Scientists are now investigating what protected her from the memory stealing disease. Could her genes hold the key to new treatments?

If ever there was a time to up your fitness game, the arrival of the new year and the new decade is it. But after the allure of the new gym membership wears off, our sedentary habits, more often than not, consume our promise of daily workouts. It doesn't have to be this way, says health psychologist and author, Kelly McGonigal.

Frequent social contact—regularly seeing friends and family—during midlife was associated with a lower likelihood of dementia diagnosis in later life, according to a recent study in PLOS Medicine. Being socially engaged may require greater activity in areas of the brain that contribute to language and memory, which in turn may account for better cognitive health, the authors noted.